Less than 48 hours after a fertilizer plant fire, that stirred memories of last year’s deadly disaster in West, the small Texas town of Athens went on with its signature event – Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion.

Milford Residents will be allowed to briefly return to their homes on Friday, as crews continue to secure the area surrounding the site where a natural gas pipeline caught fire and exploded Thursday morning.

Some 700 Milford residents are away from home tonight. The entire town was evacuated after workers punctured a Chevron gas pipeline — causing a huge explosion. Chevron set up a claims hotline for people forced to evacuate.

Keyshia Smith heard the explosion and watched flames rise just beyond her porch. She says, a sheriff’s deputy arrived. “Banging on the door saying, ‘…The pipeline is under your house. You need to go before your house explodes.’”

Deputies are keeping residents out of the town of Milford. Roadblocks are up at every entrance — on the other side environmental agencies are busy testing air quality. Workers told CBS 11 News crew’s initial tests show the air is not toxic.

Weary residents who were evacuated from their neighborhoods in West Wednesday evening were allowed back home Saturday. The long line of people snaked their way through the first loosening of check points in days. All had obtained a special mark on their cars to get in. Only homeowners who lived further away from the deadly blast site where a fertilizer plant blew up were allowed back. This is “Stage-1″ of what has turned into a long week of loss, transition and ultimately hope for the small town.